HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.

completed

Summary Of Project Information (SPI)Project NameArgentina-Banco Roberts NoA Credit Line     RegionLatin America and the CaribbeanSectorProject No007867Projected Board DateMarch 31, 1997Company NameBanco RobertsTechnical Partner and/or Major Shareholders Banco Roberts is part of the Roberts Group, a financial group which also includes insurance, brokerage, and investment banking operations. Its shareholders are Midland Bank (30%) and the Roberts family of Argentina (70%).Project Cost Including proposed IFC investment A US$30 million credit facility consisting of three separate but identical credit lines of US$10 million each.Location of project and Description of site Northern provinces of Argentina (Tucuman, Salta, Jujuy, Santiago del Estero, Catamarca, La Rioja, Misiones, Chaco, Corrientes, and Formosa)Description of Company and Purpose of Project Banco Roberts is a medium sized Argentine bank with total assets of US$2.9 billion at June 30, 1996. Through Banco Roberts’ regional centre in Tucuman and strong presence in the northern provinces of Argentina, IFC would channel medium-term funds to middle-market, second-tier companies in the area. As a complement to private sector reforms in the northern region, IFC’s funds would encourage local businesses to develop new projects requiring longer-term financing, thereby stimulating economic and industrial development in northern Argentina.Environmental Category and Issues This is a Financial Intermediary (FI) category project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure. Banco Roberts will be required to undertake an environmental review of eligible investee companies’ operations. Date SPI sent to PIC March 13, 1997For Additional Information contact: Corporate Relations Unit -telephone: (202) 473-7711facsimile: (202) 676-0365